6 November 2016

Redefining Information Warfare Boundaries for an Army in a Wireless World



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Research Questions 

In what kinds of electronic and cyber operations does the Army currently engage? Where are the boundaries between them? 

How are recent and ongoing changes in the information world, especially the explosion in different modes of communication, affecting the Army's information operations? 

How should the Army adapt, organizationally and operationally, to best respond to these changes? 

In the U.S. Army as elsewhere, transmission of digitized packets on Internet-protocol and space-based networks is rapidly supplanting the use of old technology (e.g., dedicated analog channels) when it comes to information sharing and media broadcasting. As the Army moves forward with these changes, it will be important to identify the implications and potential boundaries of cyberspace operations. An examination of network operations, information operations, and the more focused areas of electronic warfare, signals intelligence, electromagnetic spectrum operations, public affairs, and psychological operations in the U.S. military found significant overlap that could inform the development of future Army doctrine in these areas. In clarifying the prevailing boundaries between these areas of interest, it is possible to predict the progression of these boundaries in the near future. The investigation also entailed developing new definitions that better capture this overlap for such concepts as information warfare. This is important because the Army is now studying ways to apply its cyber power and is reconsidering doctrinally defined areas that are integral to operations in cyberspace. It will also be critical for the Army to approach information operations with a plan to organize and, if possible, consolidate its operations in two realms: the psychological, which is focused on message content and people, and the technological, which is focused on content delivery and machines.

Key Findings

Revisions in Army Doctrine Will Be Needed to Meet the Challenges the Changing Information Environment Presents 

This will be necessary in part to address variant authorities for different operations. 
It is also necessary to address and standardize terminology. 

Technology and Content Areas Require Specific Expertise 

A distinction needs to be made between the actual information and the means used to move it about. 

It might be helpful to consolidate areas of expertise into the broad areas of "inform and influence operations" and "information technical operations." 

Having dedicated career paths for these two areas would also be helpful. 

The Information Environment and Information Warfare 

Chapter Three 

The Problem with Information Operations 

Chapter Four 

Redefining and Reorganizing Information Operations 

Chapter Five 

How Electronic Warfare Overlaps with Other Areas 

Chapter Six 

Overlaps Between Public Affairs and Military Information Support Operations 

Chapter Seven 

Better Integrating the Technical Realm 

Chapter Eight 

Better Integrating the Psychological Realm 

Chapter Nine 

Conclusions and Recommendations 

Appendix A 

Existing Terminology, Doctrine, and Ongoing Studies 

Appendix B 

Information Operations in Doctrine 

Appendix C 

Issues Regarding Information Operations as Integration, Advocacy, and/or a Capability 

Appendix D 

Common Electronic Warfare and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Tasks and Overlaps 

Appendix E 

Discussion: Information Operations in the 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team 

Appendix F 

Proposals for Navy Cyber Career Paths and Pipelines

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